How to Safely Store Medications and Protect Children from Accidental Ingestion
4/10/2025
Stetson Potrykus, Aspirus Pharmacy Resident
Every year,
approximately 35,000 young children are brought to the emergency room because
they accidentally ingested medicine that was left within reach, according to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Medication safety is a
critical concern for parents and caregivers, as even over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins, and supplements, especially those in gummy form, can be
dangerous if taken incorrectly.
Children’s curiosity
can put them at risk, as they may mistake medications for something harmless.
Stetson Potrykus, Aspirus Pharmacy Resident, stresses the importance of keeping
them out of reach.
“Medications and
supplements should always be stored safely because children may think they’re
candy, which can lead to accidental ingestion,” says Potrykus.
Best Practices for
Safe Medication Storage
To prevent
accidental poisonings, Aspirus Health and the CDC recommend these key
medication safety measures:
- Store medicines,
vitamins, and supplements out of reach and sight. Keep them in a high cabinet
or a locked storage area, even between doses.
- Never leave loose
pills, medicine patches, creams, ointments, or liquid medicines on a counter,
table, or bedside. Children can quickly get into things when adults aren’t
looking.
- Use child-resistant
containers and always relock safety caps. If a medication has a locking cap,
twist it until you can’t twist anymore or hear the “click.”
- Be mindful of the
medications you carry. Store medications in purses, bags, pockets, or pill
organizers where children cannot access them.
- Teach children about
medicine safety. Never refer to medicine as "candy," and make sure
only adults administer it.
- Remind guests to
keep their medications secure. Visitors should store their medicines in a safe
place when in a home with young children.
“When you're
prescribed medications, the specific dose and strength are for you,” Potrykus
adds. “If ingested by children, it may cause dangerous side effects.”
What to Do in Case
of Accidental Ingestion
If a child
accidentally ingests medicine or a supplement, act immediately by calling the
Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222. This free, 24/7 resource provides expert
guidance on what to do next.
Aspirus Health
encourages families to take proactive steps in securing medications and
spreading awareness about safe storage habits. A few simple precautions can
make all the difference in protecting children from accidental poisoning.
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